After completing my first overland trip to Morocco last year I've caught the bug and am already planning the next... this time to Central America.

The plan is to fly into LA, buy 3 Honda XRs, a dirt-cheap truck and slog our way down to Panama. So here are my questions.

1) XR400, XR650R or XR650L… opinions, strengths and weaknesses? I’ve heard the 400 is the best on the dirt but guzzles 36MPG (US) and only has a top speed of 75MPH. The XR650R is supposed to be fast but expensive and heavy. Finally, the XR650L is ready for the road right out of the box, but compromises on both street and trail handling to do so. Our goal is to ride 75% on dirt. I am 5’9" and only 135lbs, so I’m leaning towards the XR400 even though I took a 1986 Tenere 600 to Moroc. Most of our gear will go in the truck. The other guys average about 165lbs at 6’1". Suggestions… comments?

2) The idea behind the truck is to rotate chauffeuring the gear and possibly a photographer. The driver will tie his bike down in the bed and take the paved roads to a predetermined rendezvous spot to meet the other bikers. Although it will never be as fun as the trails, listening to a CD and relaxing in a cushy seat every third day doesn’t sound too bad to me. In order to get through some of boring stretches of Mexico quicker we may all pile in the truck, load the bikes in the back and spend a big day on the highways. Any idea how many XRs can fit in a truck bed? Recommendations on a rock solid, easily repairable truck? Has anyone ever purchased a vehicle and donated it at the end of the trip to avoid huge import fees? We’d love to ditch the truck in Panama and catch a boat back to Florida with the bikes, but don’t want to spend too much cash to do so. If we buy the truck for next to nothing in LA, would the duties be minimal if we sold it in central America? Would a car/trailer combination be better? Is there a particular country that is easier to sell vehicles in than others? Ideas, comments, suggestions?

3) I am working to turn our trip into a travel documentary, the spin being "sites only accessible by dirt bike". Besides the Darien Gap, any suggestions of truly isolated and remote spots to visit in Central America that aren’t in the guidebooks. Remote Mayan ruins, isolated jungle towns secluded tropical beaches… this is what I’m looking for. Ideas…

Happy Trails,

Bill